bell and toll share a recorded sense, so the question is not what they mean but which one fits. bell means “a hollow device made of metal that makes a ringing sound when struck”. toll means “a fee levied for the use of roads or bridges (used for maintenance)”. bell is the more common of the two in everyday English.
/ˈbɛl/
1.n.a hollow device made of metal that makes a ringing sound when struck
2.n.a push button at an outer door that gives a ringing or buzzing signal when pushed
3.n.the sound of a bell being struck
“saved by the bell”
/ˈtoʊl/
1.n.a fee levied for the use of roads or bridges (used for maintenance)
2.n.value measured by what must be given or done or undergone to obtain something
“the cost in human life was enormous”
3.n.the sound of a bell being struck
“saved by the bell”
| bell | toll | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | /ˈbɛl/ | /ˈtoʊl/ |
| Said | bel | tohl |
| Syllables | 1 | 1 |
| Letters | 4 | 4 |
| Parts of speech | noun, verb | noun, verb |
| Senses | 11 | 5 |
| How common | Core | Common |
| Synonyms | none recorded | none recorded |
Full entry for bell · Full entry for toll · More comparisons